Wood Species Guide

Purpleheart

Peltogyne spp.

Also called: Purple Heart, Amaranth, Roxinho, Pau Roxo, Violeta, Nazareno

Purpleheart turns a vivid purple shortly after cutting, with no stain needed. It's very hard, stable and decay resistant, which makes it a favorite for cutting board accents and inlay.
ImportHardwoodColorful Import Hardwoods
Good forOutdoor & Rot-ResistantTurning

What Purpleheart looks like

Freshly cut purpleheart is a grayish brown that turns purple within hours of exposure to air. Over time, UV light pushes it to a deep brown. If you want to keep the purple, use a UV-blocking finish and keep it out of sun.

Grain and texture

Usually straight with some interlocked or wavy grain and a medium texture. It has good natural luster.

Working Purpleheart: planing, cutting and gluing

Very hard, so expect blade dulling. It can burn when cut slowly and gums up blades, which makes it burn more. Interlocked grain tears out on the planer. It glues well on fresh surfaces. Running it hot through tools can also bring out a dull brown tone, so light passes help.

Finishing Purpleheart: oil, film finishes and epoxy

Most finishes work. Oil-based finishes add an amber cast that browns the color, so water-based clear coats keep it the most purple. It sits fine under epoxy after a seal coat.

Durability, stability and Florida humidity

Very durable against decay and resists most insects. It's fairly stable once dry and holds up in humid climates, but outdoor pieces will still gray without a finish.

Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop

We carry purpleheart as rough-sawn lumber. It's great in cutting boards, inlays and anywhere you want color without stain. A little trick: after sanding, leaving the piece in the sun for a few hours can bring the purple up faster, but keep it out of sun long-term or it browns. Hardness and stability make it a good choice for high-wear accents.

Common uses for Purpleheart

Cutting boards, inlay and accents, flooring, turnings, furniture, boat building and tool handles.

Sustainability and CITES status

Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Most commercial Peltogyne species are not considered threatened, though a couple of rare species have restricted ranges.

Safety and toxicity

Our toxicity rating ModerateWhat the ratings mean
  • Skin irritation
  • Eye irritation
  • Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
  • Nausea or headache

Purpleheart is a reported sensitizer. Eye and skin irritation are the usual complaints, and some people report nausea.

In the shop
Dust collection + dust mask when sanding
Food contact
Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils

General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.

Purpleheart is a reported sensitizer; it can irritate eyes and skin and occasionally cause nausea. Use dust collection and a mask.

Wood toxicity and dust safety guide: every species compared

Purpleheart in stock now

Hardwood lumber in stock (1)

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Similar woods: Colorful Import Hardwoods

See the Colorful Import Hardwoods group guide

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